By Bimbola Oyesola

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has seized a 40 feet container stocked with unbranded refrigerators and television hangers.

SON’s Director General, Osita Aboloma,  said during the inspection of the consignment at its warehouse the  importer falsely declared the goods as soldering iron materials to outsmart regulatory agencies at the port.

Aboloma who was represented by Mr. Bede Obayi, Director Compliance, said that the agency  mounted surveillance on the container and intercepted it to ensure that products do not find their way into the Nigerian markets.

According to him, the  angency had several times informed importers of the critical importance of always declaring the contents of their containers with all sincerity, arguing that this was the only way the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business can be achieved.

In his words, “The importer of this container, Golden Ring Mega Biz Ventures Limited, brought in this 40 feet container loaded with unbranded refrigerators and LED television hangers, but declared soldering iron. This is false declaration and from our NICIS, we monitored the container and was able to intercept it on the highway.”

He said that  SON would continue to complement the effort of the Federal Government in its quest to assisting businesses in the country and ensure consumers are not short-changed.

“We have examined the container and the content is different from what the importer declared. As you can see, the refrigerators are unbranded and once it gets into the market, it will carry names of popular brands to deceive the unsuspecting Nigerian consumer,” he added.

He noted that the container which is worth over N100 million was not certified by SON, adding that should the products find  their way into the market, it was capable of  destroying innocent lives and properties.

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How can we talk of ease of doing business when people are not actually declaring what they are bringing into the country, the television hangers are not supposed to be in this container.

“It is another concealment packaged into the refrigerators. The importer was trying to cheat government by not paying duties. The product has not been certified and also the quality is not known by SON.

If we do not monitor these imports, how will Nigerians survive in this country with the activities of these unscrupulous importers who bring in substandard and fake products into the country,” he added.

According to him, the importer would face the full wrath of the law under the SON Act Nos 14 of 2015, to serve as a deterrent to other importers who indulge in illicit trade.

He tasked importers to be very transparent in their transactions and adhere the regulation on ports clearing of goods .

“Declare what you are bringing into the country and also make sure you abide by the SONCAP so that we allow you go without delaying your container.

“We have decided that anywhere we see you, whether in the market, warehouses or on the highway, we will pick up the container if you do not declare well, but if you do, we will give you all the necessary access into the market and your warehouses without any encumbrance .

“The container remains seized till we conclude our investigation,” he said.